Group slams transit name contest

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This article was published 09/11/2017 (2907 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg advocacy group for disabled people says a contest asking the public to rename Handi-Transit to make it more inclusive is a waste of time and money.

“In our opinion, instead of spending time, energy and resources on a name change, they should be focusing on creating an equitable, parallel transit service for people with disabilities,” said Allen Mankewich, a consultant with the Independent Living Resource Centre.

Handi-Transit provides accessible vehicles for disabled Winnipeggers who can’t use regular buses.

The centre filed a lengthy complaint over Handi-Transit service shortcomings a year ago but says no action has been taken on any of the issues identified. The organization has yet to receive a response from the province’s ombudsman.

In a statement announcing the online contest — Winnipeggers are being asked to choose from three options: Winnipeg Transit Plus, Winnipeg Transit Connect and Winnipeg Transit Link — the city said it has used the name Handi-Transit since 1977, but it should now reflect broader appreciation of disability issues and the language used to describe people with disabilities.

“A new name for Handi-Transit is one step towards a more inclusive environment for all Winnipeggers,” it said, adding the city’s policy advisory committee narrowed down suggestions from its “key stakeholders.”

A city spokesman estimated late Thursday the cost for renaming Handi-Transit was approximately $12,500. That included a promotion plan, rebranding/decals for vehicles, business cards and mail-outs to stakeholders.

“The name of the service is irrelevant. The quality of the service is what’s important to us,” Mankewich said.

In response to the announcement, the centre posted a list of its complaints with the service at ilrc.mb.ca.

The list calls for streamlining payment and accepting Peggo cards, “so Handi-Transit drivers aren’t, for one of many examples, refusing riders because they think transit tokens are not accepted as fare payment.”

Other problems include an appeal process that is chaired by Handi-Transit instead of an independent arbitrator and a requirement for clients’ health-care providers to release medical information, instead of getting it from clients themselves.

“Change these thinly veiled attempts to placate the community into thinking consultation is occurring,” a statement on the website says.

“A contest about a name change undermines all the other efforts that the community has been making for years now.

“Change from trivial pursuit to real transit.”

But another advocacy group doesn’t agree.

“To our users, the word ‘handi’ always makes them think ‘handicapped,’” said Jonathan Dionne, a spokesman for the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities. “That’s a word the movement tries to get away from.”

It’s the same reason, parking passes now say “accessibility,” he added.

For information and to vote on the new name, click on the link at winnipeg.ca/handitransitrenaming.

Voting is open until Nov. 21. Members of the public can also vote by calling Handi-Transit at 204-986-5722.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca